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Well, it’s been a while since I updated my LEGO blog…so I am getting back into it in a big way.  Last year in November I wrote my Top 5 Wishlist for LEGO UCS Star Wars Remakes/Re-Releases and I get to cross one (#4) off of my list!  It wasn’t the one I was predicting with the highest percentage of likelihood, but it was awesome to get a re-release of the LEGO UCS Star Wars Y-Wing!  Naturally, I picked it up on its release date which corresponded with the Star Wars day celebration May the Fourth be With You.  Because of this, I am updating the list to add a new selection.  I will start with a recap of my last list and my prediction for the Y-wing.  Let’s get into it!

Here is a link to the previous version of the list.

Quick recap of November’s Top 5 Wishlist of LEGO UCS Star Wars Re-Releases:

5.  UCS Vader’s Tie Advanced X-1   4.  UCS Y-Wing   3.  UCS Death Star II   2.  UCS Star Destroyer  and
1.  UCS Tantive IV [Rebel Blockade Runner]

Here is what I wrote about the potential Y-Wing:

4. UCS Y-Wing

Originally released in 2004, set # 10134 with 1,487 Pieces.

 

Next on my list is the UCS Y-Wing.  Of the 5 sets in this wishlist,  this set would need the least amount of re-designing.  The look, shape, and details are all fantastic.  The cockpit area could get updated and some of the color choices and greebling could benefit from the more recently released pieces to really finish off this incredible model.

Here would be my desired set info:

Piece Count:  ~1750

Price:                 $199.99 US

Minifigs:            1, Y-Wing Pilot (exclusive)

Release Date:  2019 after retirement of the 75144 Snow Speeder

Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  10%

It turns out I was right and wrong on the model.

What I got wrong

My piece count was too low, this is a great thing as there are over 200 more pieces in the official set!  I inadvertently forgot to add a second minifig for the Astromech droid.  I was furthest off on my percent chance at just 10% and I wrongly predicted based on what I personally would have done.  Which is release a Rebel ship after retiring a Rebel ship, thus having the Y-Wing follow the Snowspeeder when it went out of print.

What I got Right

The price at $199.99.  The re-design enhanced on the color choices with much more contrasting colors in the body and the cockpit.  Finally the level of detail achieved by the newer pieces and greebling take the 2018 version to new levels.

Let’s get onto the updated 2018 wishlist.

5. UCS AT-ST

Originally released in 2006, set # 10174 with 1,068 Pieces.

Starting off my list is the new set to my list, the UCS AT-ST.   I own the previous pictured version of this set.  I built the 10174 early on after exiting my LEGO dark ages as my first UCS set build.  I had built the AT-ST from the Endor base LEGO set and my mind couldn’t comprehend what enhancement could be done such a nice small build.  Well, I was immediately immensely surprised at the enormity of this model in comparison!   The Endor base version can fit between its legs.  At the time I built this set, late 2011, I really liked this set for its magnitude and looks.  Now, I said “at the time” because I don’t think this set has aged well.  There are tons of updates which can be done to this model.  I would love to see this re-designed with a lot more detail, greebling, more SNOT techniques, and more accurate dimensions.

Here would be my desired set info:

• Piece Count:      ~1600
• Price:               $149.99 US
• Minifigs:            2,  AT-ST Pilots for the display stand
• Release Date:     2019 after retirement of the 75144 Snow Speeder
• Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  5%

4.  UCS Vader’s Tie Advanced X-1

Originally released in 2006, set # 10175 with 1,212 Pieces.

This is one of two sets on the list which I own the previous version. The original to me looks great from a distance but leaves a lot to desire when up close.   What could enhance a new re-design would be re-shaping around the cockpit area,  adding more fine details (greebling) on the body of the ship and the wings would need complete re-design.  On the original model,  8 x 8 grated plates were used on the wings, but this makes the wings see through.  My assumption is that this was done to try to show the texturing the wings should have had.   I would hope the set is in the same piece count range as the UCS Tie Fighter currently available and that it would include an exclusive Darth Vader Minifigure to display next to the UCS sticker.

Here would be my desired set info:

• Piece Count:      ~1900
• Price:                $199.99 US
• Minifigs:            1, Darth Vader (exclusive)
• Release Date:     2019 after the retirement of the 75095 UCS Tie Fighter
• Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  20%

3.  UCS Death Star II

Originally released in 2005, set # 10143 with 3,447 Pieces.

I love the look of the original UCS Death Star II.  I have the 10188 UCS Death Star set, but would rather be displaying a model of the Death Star than a playset.  That said, there is room for improvement on the original set.   The sections of the Death Star which are already completed could be re-designed, smoothed out and some details should be added.   I do like how the original model created the under construction parts of the Death Star.

Here would be my desired set info:

• Piece Count:      ~5000 +
• Price:                $399.99 +  US
• Minifigs:            0
• Release Date:     2019 after the retirement of 75098 UCS Assault on Hoth
• Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  15%

2. UCS Imperial Star Destroyer

Originally released in 2002, set # 10047 with 3,108 Pieces.

Now, if you have read some of my other articles, you may know that I feel like this will be the next re-designed LEGO UCS Star Wars set.   The ship is iconic and deserves to be presented in the UCS fashion. The size, shape, and magnitude of the ship can be represented in a UCS set in a way that a ~$150 set cannot.   From reading reviews and first-hand conversations of those who own the original model, it suffered from a few issues.  It used magnets to hold the bottom panels on and they would separate,  the model would sag which may be due to the location of the legs too far to the rear, and overall it was very fragile.    These issues can and will be easily fixed by re-design and I expect we see this one in the not too distant future.

Here would be my desired set info:

• Piece Count:       ~5000
• Price:                $499.99 US
• Minifigs:            3, Darth Vader, Admiral Tarkin, Emperor Palpatine
• Release Date:     2019
• Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  40%

1. Tantive IV [Rebel Blockade Runner]

Originally released in 2001, set # 10019 with 1,746 Pieces.

Finally, this being #1 is just my personal preference, I really like the look of the Rebel Blockade Runners.  The Tantive IV is the very first ship you see in the Star Wars saga(Episode IV), which may also play some role in this selection too.  I sadly missed out on picking up either of the previous larger LEGO versions of the ship.   The original UCS version looks very nice, but could certainly be improved upon with more modern techniques and pieces.  One feature I hope to be included is an interior.  This interior could include the docking corridor where Darth Vader enters, the room where Leah and R2-D2 record her message and the escape pods.  This would make an awesome display piece, especially near the Imperial Star Destroyer.

Here would be my desired set info:

• Piece Count:       ~2800
• Price:                 $249.99 US
• Minifigs:             3, Princess Leah (exclusive), R2-D2, C-3PO
• Release Date:      Late 2018, early 2019 after the retirement of the 75060 UCS Slave 1
• Percent Chance of being the next re-design:  20%

These would be my 5 favorite choices for the next re-designs of LEGO UCS Star Wars sets.  Please tell me your choices and your order in the comments!  Thanks for reading.